This article contains complete operating instructions for the UAFX Orion Tape Delay pedal from Universal Audio.

In this article

• A Letter From Bill Putnam, Jr.
• Orion Quick Start
• Orion Tape Echo Overview
• Orion Power
• Orion Connections
• Orion Connections
• Orion Controls
• Orion Specifications
• Orion Safety

 

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A Letter From Bill Putnam, Jr.

Congratulations on your new UAFX pedal. We know that buying any new piece of gear requires an investment of time and money, and we aim to make your investment pay off!

At UA, we are dedicated to the idea of building “instant classics” — the type of music and audio gear that delivers album-worthy sounds to inspire you for decades.

UAFX pedals represent more than 20 years of research into vintage analog effects, coupled with next-generation digital engineering and rock-solid reliability.

Please let us know how we’re doing. Feel free to reach out to us via our website www.uaudio.com, and via our social media channels.

Thank you for your support, and enjoy your sonic exploration!

Sincerely,

Bill Putnam Jr.

 

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Orion Quick Start

Download Orion Quick Start

 

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Orion Tape Echo Overview

Orion Tape Echo gives you the magical, hazy delay effects of vintage ’70s Maestro Echoplex EP-III tape delays, in a compact pedal.* Thanks to the same award-winning algorithms from our Starlight Echo Station, Orion gives you the rich, three-dimensional effects of a thoroughly emulated vintage tape echo — for tones that outshine all other compact tape delay pedals. Choose from three sonically distinct versions of the EP-III with Mint, Worn, and Old machine types for color and vibe, and tweak the Wonk control for subtle-to-eccentric modulated repeats and funky tape splice textures. 

Key Features

• Authentic emulation of a vintage Maestro Echoplex EP-III tape echo in a compact stompbox*
• True or trails bypass and switchable preamp
• Perfectly captured analog preamp for fat, boosted tones and effects
• Selectable Mint, Worn, and Old tape types for added color and texture
• Wonk control for modulated repeats and vibey tape splice sounds

*All trademarks are property of their respective owners and used only to represent the effects modeled as part of Orion Tape Echo.

 

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Orion Power

To learn how to power your UAFX pedal, go here.

 

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Orion Connections

To learn how to wire your UAFX pedals, go here.

 

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Orion Controls

The following controls are available on Orion.

Delay

Sets the tape echo rate, from 80-700 milliseconds. Because Orion is a tape-based delay, the echo pitches vary as you adjust this control.

Mix

Adjusts the amount of delayed signal mixed with the clean signal. When the mix control is fully clockwise, the delay is 100% wet.

Tape

Use this switch to select the tape character for Orion’s delay repeats: Mint, Worn, or Old. 

 

 

Feedback

Feedback controls the number of delay repeats. At high feedback settings, delay repeats begin to self-oscillate. To stop self-oscillation or indefinite feedback, reduce the Feedback amount. 

Note: Bypassing the pedal does not stop self-oscillation. In True Bypass mode, self-oscillation continues while the pedal is bypassed and returns when the effect is re-enabled. In Trail Bypass mode, self-oscillating repeats continue when the pedal is bypassed. 

Wonk

The Wonk control adjusts tape wow, flutter, and modulation. Wonk interacts with the Tape Age switch, with the control having more impact on the sound with the Old and Worn tape settings.

Rec Level

The Rec Level control adjusts how hot the input signal is recorded to the tape. At higher levels, the tape will saturate and distort.

Bypass Mode

You can switch between Trails or True bypass modes using the slider switch on the back of the pedal. 

• Trails - Echoes play out after the pedal is bypassed. The pedal’s output is buffered when the effect is on and off. 

Trails bypass minimizes high frequency loss from long cable runs, and preserves your tone when you have multiple pedals in series. 

• True - Echoes are cut off immediately when the pedal is bypassed. The pedal signal is true bypass when the effect is off.

Preamp Mode

You can enable the EP-III preamp on the dry signal using the slider switch on the back of the pedal. The EP-III preamp has a warmer, fatter tone with less high end.

Note: The preamp is always active on the delayed signal.

• On: The preamp is on the dry signal when the effect is on, or in Trails bypass mode. 
• Off: The preamp is not on the dry signal. 

The preamp effect is enabled on the dry signal differently depending on whether True Bypass or Trails Bypass is enabled, and whether the pedal is on or bypassed. See the following chart.

 

 

Footswitch

The footswitch toggles the effect on/off. The LED lights to indicate when the effect is active. The LED color changes to indicate the pedal settings for True and Trails bypass and the Preamp setting, as shown in the table above.

 

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Orion Specifications

Note: All specifications are subject to change without notice.

 

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Orion Safety

Caution: To help maintain the safety of your product, the chosen power supply must be a certified power supply complying with Limited Power Source (LPS) requirements with the following characteristics and electrical ratings: Isolated 9VDC, center-negative, 250 mA minimum, 2.1x5.5 mm barrel connector. Additional details at help.uaudio.com.

Before using this unit, be sure to carefully read the applicable items of these operating instructions and the safety suggestions. Afterwards, keep them handy for future reference. Take special care to follow the warnings indicated on the unit, as well as in the operating instructions.

• Read the instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Clean only with dry cloth.
• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not install near any heat source such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. • Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
• Only use with attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
• This equipment does not contain a fuse or any other user-replaceable parts.
• A compliance marking label is provided on bottom of the unit.

Japanese Class B Manual Statement

この装置は、クラスB機器です。この装置は、住宅環境で使用することを目的としています が、この装置がラジオやテレビジョン受信機に近接して使用されると、受信障害を引き起こ すことがあります。取扱説明書に従って正しい取り扱いをして下さい。VCCI-B

(This is Class B equipment. Although this equipment is intended for use in residential environments, it could cause poor reception if used near a radio television receiver. Please follow all instructions in the instruction manual.)

Used electrical and electronic equipment should not be mixed with general household waste. Please dispose in accordance with local regulations.